Page 39 of Run From Me

Controlled anger wrapped its tendrils around me like a pet.

“Ripple, my man. Back for more?”

I’d gotten him hard enough that, although the knife was now a literal thorn in my side, or leg, he was sprawled on the floor again.

Maybe I still wore the scrubs, but I wasn't dumb enough to go without my guns. I never left anything to chance, even though it had been hard to hide them under a doctor's coat. I’d ditched the coat before we’d gotten out of that hospital, making it all that much easier to grab the gun now.

“I’m in the mood to play, Viper,” I said and moved seconds quicker than he could. My gun was already kissing his head by the time he realized I was not only not that bothered by the knife, but I was royally pissed off.

“You just stabbed a Spector. And not just any Spector, my good man.”

I pressed the barrel hard into his temple. He whimpered.

“You fucked with the wrong one, that’s for sure, Ripple.”

I didn’t look away, like this was a starring contest and Ripple would fucking lose.

“Fuck you. Stay away from her,” he finally said as he blinked.

I tsked. “You lose.”

The quiet in the room made the sound of the safety being clicked off all the louder. “Is this really all about Sparky?”

I wasn’t even sure where she was at the moment, but I heard her gasp and knew she was alive and well for the moment.

I wasn’t sure what my face actually looked like because I swear I smiled. But his eyes grew wide and I sniffed the air.

“Sweetheart, did you just pee yourself? Shame.” I shifted my weight over him. “Let’s make one thing clear, you gutless little roach. When a woman says no, she means no.”

I grabbed a fistful of his hair, making sure he couldn’t look away. “I’ll thank you though for your little impulsive stunt. Now I have every right to send a message back to the Vipers thanks to your little attack.”

The strong scent of urine mixed with the ripe scent of dead body, and it just made the scent of his impending death all the sweeter in a twisted way.

“Just let me fucking go,” said Ripple.

I didn’t move the gun. I had no intention of moving the gun, but I also had no intention of making Calliope clean up the place again.

“Ripple, do you know how the Spectors got their name?”

His eyes flicked back and forth between me and someone behind me. I assumed Cali.

“I’ll just help you out since you seem to be at a loss for words. I don’t want to overheat that little brain of yours. It’s so much more fun when the brain splatters as the bullet enters right here,” I said and moved the barrel of the gun to his forehead and ran it along his hairline, hitting the floor before I smiled down at him.

“Ripple, let’s take this outside.”

My leg was getting a little more annoying with every movement. I was going to need to remove the damn knife.

“You can’t go outside, Xander. You shouldn’t be walking. Let me call an ambulance,” Cali said, putting her hand on my chest as I stood up.

I stretched my shoulders and stood up straighter and glanced around.

“Just get me some alcohol and duct tape.” I noticed rubbing alcohol before, but tape? Who knew.

She moved around the room with confidence, and when she came back with gauze and actual medical tape, well, it was my turn to roll my eyes.

“How about super glue? That shit won’t do anything,” I said while pointing to the bandages.

She glared at me.

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